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By 10:30 this morning, at least 35 people called to donate to the ongoing turkey drive, said Sally Starkweather, receptionist at the new CCBC facilty on Main Street in Binghamton. At that point 400 turkeys (or hams or even chickens) were still needed to supply Thanksgiving meals around the community.

A soldier halfway around the world saw the “turkeys needed” article on Pressconnects.com, contacted his family and asked them to bring a check down to help, said Kathy Pfaffenbach, director of emergency services for CCBC.

“Here he’s got so much going on over there and he does this to help the community,” she said.

Lori, who declined to use her last name, from the Mix 1033 morning show has been busy, too. She has been at the refrigerated Willow Run truck as part of the ClearChannel Radio-CCBC effort almost non-stop for the last eight days, she says.

People often wait until pay day or the last day of the annual turkey drive to come by with their donations, she said.

This year is no exception. “We’re seeing people drop off six or 10 turkeys at a time,” she said.

They’ve received monetary contributions, too, she said, ranging from coins to $100.

Parents have brought their kids, who donate a can of corn or such, she said. “Parents want their little ones to learn the value of charity.”

Many people she met have touched her heart. “You always hear wonderful stories, like ‘this was me last year; I had to ask for help, and now I want to give back,’” Lori said. “You really see what people are made of.”